The Alliance for Artisan Enterprise, founded in November 2012 and hosted by the Aspen Institute, is a collaborative effort of over 70 artisan businesses, artisan support organizations, corporations, government agencies, and other partners who are working together to promote the full potential of the global artisan sector.

The Alliance for Artisan Enterprise was created to elevate the importance of the artisan sector, support and grow artisan businesses, and share best practices in a collaborative learning community.

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In its 7th year, the Global Entrepreneurship Summit gathered entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, and government partners from over 170 countries around the world at Stanford University, the heart of Silicon Valley. The Alliance joined President Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, Secretary of State John Kerry, and countless other innovators and thought leaders eager to make lasting, sustainable change in today's world.

"Simply put," Secretary of State John Kerry remarked, "what you and past generations of entrepreneurs have already achieved has brought about a revolution in our world right now." Other speakers echoed the need to take risks and abandon the status quo in pursuit of creating solutions to the biggest needs facing our world.

The Summit is a place for men and women of a vast range of age and experience to share learnings and best practices, connect, and grow. President Obama recognized the ever-present need to put more "tools, more resources into the hands of these folks are changing the world." But, lasting change surpasses tools and funding. We must be building a community, "making sure that all of you know each other so that you can share best practices and ideas, and spread the word."

The Alliance for Artisan Enterprise recognizes our community of members as challenging the existing framework for artisan enterprises, cooperatives, and retailers across the globe. Our shared voice amplifies your unique messages, challenges, and cultures. Together, we can break down barriers that no single organization could take on alone. As President Obama noted, "I believe all of you represent the upside of an interconnected world, all the optimism and hope and opportunity that the interconnected world represents."

The Global Entrepreneurship Summit took place June 22-24, 2016 at Stanford University. Find more information, a full schedule, photos, and key recordings on the GES2016 website. Follow the Alliance on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for real-time updates!